As they got closer to Madison, tension radiated off Bryn.He reached for her hand.“We don’t have to do this.We can find a place to stay for the night and wait until tomorrow.Maybe the police will have found Damien by then.”
“No, I think we should talk to Lori.”Her smile didn’t reach her eyes.“I need to understand why a gunman was waiting for me to get home.There’s no reason for Damien to shoot me, so it had to be someone else.”
Micah wanted to know that as well.“I can go see Lori on my own,” he offered.“No reason for you to ride along.”
“She won’t talk to you.”Bryn sighed.“I’m not even sure she’ll talk to me.We only met once when she showed up to see Damien without having an appointment.He was in a meeting, so I had to send her away.She wasn’t happy.It was shortly after that when Damien broke things off.”
“Okay, we’ll go together.”He figured the conversation wouldn’t take long.He hadn’t planned on staying in the Madison area, but maybe that was for the best.The local news would have most likely mentioned Damien’s disappearance, providing updates on the case.With no sign of foul play, he wasn’t convinced there would be national news coverage.Adults could go missing any time they wanted.It wasn’t a crime to leave town without telling anyone.
They found Lori Eastman’s house without too much difficulty.He drove past without stopping so he could eyeball the place.Encouraged by seeing a light on inside, he went around the block and searched for a place to park.His gut told him to park out of sight, just in case things didn’t go well.He pulled over to the curb and parked on the street that was behind Lori Eastman’s home.
“I’ll let you take the lead.”He killed the engine.“I think you’re probably right about her opening up to you more than me.”
“I hope so.”She drew her red quilted jacket closer.“Are we walking around the block?”
“No.Follow me.”Bryn looked surprised when he led her to the narrow opening between the two homes.It was late enough, almost nine fifteen at night, that it was easy to avoid being seen.Skirting the side of Lori’s home, he headed up to the front door.The homes here were situated close together, similar to how the neighborhoods in the Chicago area.He stayed right behind Bryn as she pressed the doorbell.
There wasn’t a ring doorbell or other security cameras from what he could see.The door opened, and a woman with red wavy hair looked at them suspiciously.Micah thought it was interesting both women had red hair.“Go away.It’s too late to be knocking on people’s doors.”
“Lori, I’m Bryn Sinclair.You know, Damien’s assistant?”Bryn pasted a smile on her face.“I’m sorry to bother you so late, but have you seen Damien recently?”
“No, why would I see him?We haven’t been together in six months.”Lori crossed her arms over her chest.“Last I heard, you were dating him.”
“We went our separate ways a few months ago,” Bryn said.“I’m only here because the police think something bad has happened to him.”
“Who’s he?”Lori eyed him with a mixture of suspicion and interest.“Your new boyfriend?”
“Yes, I’m Micah Newton,” he said, before Bryn could correct her.“Look, it’s really important that we speak to you.I know it’s late, but can we please come in to talk about this?Damien has been missing for more than twenty-four hours now.Anything you can tell us would be helpful.”
“Are you a cop?”Lori asked.
“Not exactly.I work as a private investigator.”He could tell the news surprised Bryn, but he kept his gaze focused on Lori Eastman.“Please.This won’t take too long.”
Damien’s former girlfriend hesitated for so long he figured she was about to close the door in their face.But then she surprised him by taking a step back.“Fine.But I don’t know anything about Damien going missing.”
Bryn entered the house first.He quickly followed, closing the door behind him.Lori’s home was neat and comfortable.She crossed into the living room and picked up the remote to silence the television, but she didn’t sit.Or invite them to take a seat.
“When was the last time you saw Damien?”Bryn asked.
“When he told me he wasn’t interested in seeing me anymore.”Lori shot Bryn a dark look.“He told me he was interested in someone else.I guess that was you.”
“Not me,” Bryn protested.“We didn’t go out together until several weeks after your breakup.”
“Whatever.”Lori waved an impatient hand.“You asked when I saw him last, and that was September of last year.Is that all?Because I have to work in the morning.”
“Do you know anything about Damien’s financial status?”Bryn asked.“Any reason to believe he embezzled money from the company?”
“What?Why would he do that?He gets half the profits anyway.”Lori stared at Bryn.“You would know more about his personal finances than I do.”
“I don’t.He doesn’t share that with me.The company has an outside firm that does the payroll.I’m not privy to anyone’s salaries.”Bryn shrugged, glancing briefly at him before turning her attention to Lori.“I always got the impression Damien was very well off.His condo is large and pricey from what I can tell.”
Lori nodded, her gaze bouncing between him and Bryn.“Who says he embezzled money?”
“Richard,” Bryn answered.“Even worse, he accused me of helping Damien escape with the money.”
Lori abruptly looked away, as if remembering something that might explain Damien’s or Richard’s actions.But then she shrugged and shook her head.“Sorry, I don’t know anything about Damien or missing money.I must admit, I don’t see a reason for Damien to do that.The company has been doing well from what I know.”
“That’s what I thought too,” Bryn said.“It just doesn’t make any sense.”
